Most Versatile Trip
Unmatched Wildlife Encounters
Full-Day Adventure

Paddle From Spero Bridge to Mongo Trading Post for a Day to Remember!

Experience a fun, versatile and scenic 10-mile journey that strikes the perfect balance for both experienced paddlers and families seeking a longer day on the water. This trip offers a unique blend of wooded areas, wetlands, and an open millpond adorned with lily pads and cattails, creating an ideal setting for wildlife enthusiasts on quieter days. For the quietest experience, you will want to paddle this trip on a Sunday-Friday or in the Spring and Fall. Summer Saturdays do tend to see crowds on this section of the river, not from our business alone, but a combination of other rental outfits in town as well as local paddlers who visit on their own.

One of this Indiana kayak trip’s standout features is a section boasting numerous great blue heron nests—keep an eye out for these majestic birds as you paddle the first few miles. The Spero Bridge adventure is a condensed version of our popular 13-mile Refuge Bridge trip, providing a challenging yet manageable and rewarding experience. Launch from our main outpost, shuttle upstream, and enjoy a leisurely 10-mile paddle back, surrounded by the serene sounds and sights.

Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the Spero Bridge trip and experience a winding, forest-filled route through the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area, providing the perfect escape from everyday life.

Why Choose This River Trip?

Encounter diverse landscapes, from wooded areas and wetlands to the open millpond
Observe great blue heron nests and other local birds in their natural habitat
Enjoy a 10-mile paddle, suitable for both experienced paddlers and families alike
Immerse yourself in the tranquil sounds of birds singing, and frogs croaking in nature’s symphony

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Trip Details

Trip Details

PRICES

*Canoes are for 2 people maximum, with the exception of a child middle rider (under 70 lbs.)

**Personal shuttles are available 7 days a week for campers; for non-campers, personal shuttles are available Sunday – Friday only.

DEPARTURE TIME

Meeting point

The Spero Bridge trip starts with a shuttle departing from our main office outpost. Our staff will then transport you up to the put-in, at Spero Bridge. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time for a smooth check-in.

Duration

The trip covers 10 miles and typically takes around 3.5 – 4 hours, depending on the water level and your paddling speed. Feel free to take it leisurely with stops or paddle straight through.

Group size

1-30+ (Contact our office for large group offers & availability.)

Included

  • Boat rental
  • Life jackets
  • Paddles
  • Shuttle service

What to bring

For a comfortable experience:

Shoulder Seasons:

  • Dress in layers to accommodate weather changes.

Prime Summer Season:

  • Don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray.
  • Wear comfortable shoes.
  • Bring snacks or lunch for longer outings.
  • Ensure you have plenty of water, especially on warmer days.

Participation requirements

The minimum age and weight requirement for children on all river trips is 3 years old and 30 pounds.

Reservation, Cancellation & Weather Policy

  • FULL payment is required at the time of reservation.
  • Trip changes and cancellations may be made up until 10 days prior to your reservation.
  • Cancellations made more than 10 days prior to arrival will qualify for a credit for a future date.
  • NO REFUNDS unless you have purchased Trip Cancellation Protection
  • If Trading Post cancels the trip due to river or weather conditions, you will be offered a credit for a future date.
  • Once you are on the river or parked at your campsite, there are no refunds or credits. Please keep in mind that heat, wind, cold, rain, insects, and ever-changing river conditions are part of the activity!
  • If for any reason you need to cancel all or a portion of your reservation, the following guidelines will apply:
    • 11 days or MORE prior to your arrival date – you can reschedule for another date within the same season or receive a credit for a future date.
    • 10 days or LESS prior to your arrival date – No Refunds or Credits are issued, unless you purchased Trip Cancellation Protection.
    • Failure to check-in or contact us on the date of your scheduled arrival may forfeit your site, boat reservation and seat on the bus.
    • No refunds or credits are issued for dropping boats or changing trips less than 10 days prior to your trip date & time, unless you purchased Trip Cancellation Protection.
    • No refunds or credits are issued for no call/no shows. You MUST contact us prior to your trip time to take advantage of the Trip Cancellation Protection.
    • If inclement weather or river conditions show significant risk, Trading Post Outfitters reserves the right to issue a credit for a future paddle trip, offer a similar trip instead, or issue a refund. (Refunds issued ONLY if Trip Cancellation Protection has been purchased).

Waiver

Speed up your check-in process by clicking & signing your waiver digitally at home!

Waiver(opens in a new tab)

See Why Our Loyal Customers Keep Coming Back

Allie J

TripAdvisor Reviews

Great experience! Decided to plan a last minute trip the day before and had no problem booking online. Arrived, signed our waiver, got a map and brief overview and then onto the bus to take us to the drop off point. We did the Spero Bridge trip and it was beautiful! Very scenic and relaxing. Plenty of places to stop off and have a rest or a snack. The staff was helpful and the trip was great. Will definitely be back soon!

Brian J

Google Reviews

Went the extra mile to get me on the river as a solo tripper. I will say the first half of Spero was quite challenging. Would recommend having some skills before taking it. The second half you could probably nap and make it back. 🙂
Looking forward to trying the runs on the other side. Thanks again.

Jamie F

TripAdvisor Reviews

…We loved the full moon paddle on Friday night and enjoyed seeing all of the fall colors on the Spero Bridge trip on Saturday. We reserved 4 campsites and had plenty of room for everyone…professional, helpful and friendly. The campground is well kept and has many trees. We are already planning to do this again next fall…Thank you for a great weekend!

Janice

TripAdvisor Reviews

Our experience for a group of 24 was seamless. It was easy to online schedule kayaks and/or just transportation to drop-off…all workers jumped into action to make sure we registered, obtained a life vest, and gave us a timeframe for boarding the bus…very informative…It was a great 10 mile trip in shallow, clean, water with various sandbars to stop and let the children play. Staff was ready and waiting when we arrived back at the Trading Post. Thumbs Up!

Jill L

TripAdvisor Reviews

My friend and I had a great time. We took the Spero Bridge trip which was 10 miles—mostly on a winding, forest filled route which was ideal shaking off the hectic work week. No traffic sounds,just birds singing and frogs croaking. The staff was nice and helpful…the river was gentle and it was an easy trip. They have clean showers, changing rooms and indoor bathrooms. I will be coming back!

Pam Reynolds

Google Reviews

Great kayaking trip! Enjoyed being on our own and doing it at our pace.
We forgot to take mosquito spray and advise everyone that you will need it!
Very nice people running it. We did the Spero Bridge 10 mile route.

Todd Blevins

Google Reviews

A fantastic trip. We did the Spero 10-mile trip and you really can’t ask for anything more scenic.

jbenimble

TripAdvisor Reviews

…It was very easy to get online and set-up a trip to go. All of your paperwork can be done ahead of time and brought with you…They leave promptly at the time you have scheduled and I like that. You can bring a cooler with food and drink but please bag up your trash as you go along and pick-up other trash you find. The staff were very friendly and helpful. They have nice canoes. We chose to be dropped at the Spero Bridge and canoe back…

mmnichter

TripAdvisor Reviews

We took a canoeing and camping trip and we had a blast! We took the Spero bridge leg of the river. It was 10 miles and it was perfect!…Can’t wait to go back! Getting a campsite was a great idea also! Campground is clean and we had plenty of room for our two large tents! Each campsite has a fire ring and a picnic table. We had an electric site so that was convenient too!

Check out Some of Our Other Trips!

Nasby Dam
4 miles
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Curtis Creek
7 miles
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Refuge Bridge
13 miles
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